If you yearn to learn something new, away from the hustle and bustle of city life, here’s one that involves art and animation. The Nest, a cosy, independent guesthouse that also serves as an artist residence in Awas, Alibaug opens its doors for such creative experiences. “Our guesthouse was born from a desire to create a retreat where people can exchange ideas, make art and reconnect with themselves and the land. With an open studio space at its heart, it serves as both a sanctuary and a hub for collaboration, learning, and sustainable living, suitable for both tourists and artists,” states Nimisha Nair, organiser at The Nest. It began as an Airbnb by her parents who moved from Delhi post retirement, to be closer to their daughter in Mumbai.

In operation since 2022, the serene space has in the past, hosted wellness retreats, martial arts workshops, expressive arts therapy, writer’s retreat and many more. The upcoming two-day animation workshop is open to all, and offers the joy of learning handmade animations. Facilitated by Adheep Das, a mixed-media artist, filmmaker with a stint at FTII and a puppet-maker, it will require participants to draw from imagination and apply animation skills to witness texture, movement and breath, an invisible force that animates matter according to Das.

Nimisha Nair